The Children of the Sea manga from Daisuke Igarashi made the leap to anime with a theatrical film that had a June 7th, 2019 debut in Japan. With the Japanese home video release out this past January, GKIDS previously solicited for their release of the film in North America with August 11th through the 13th screenings being planned for it. This was made when there was some hope for theaters opening based on the way states were being aggressive with their phases, but with it plainly clear that they’re not opening anytime soon, GKIDS has now canceled their limited theatrical plans for it.
The project’s home video release has a September 1st, 2020 debut where there’s a separate DVD and DVD/BD combo release. The DVD release is priced at $19.97 and comes with an Interview with director Ayumu Watanabe, Interview with composer Joe Hisaishi, Animatic Sequences, Behind the Scenes featurette, Theatrical Trailers.
The combo release is priced at $24.97 has all of that plus an exclusive feature-length documentary “Turep – Looking for Children of the Sea”.
The August 11 & 13 theatrical screenings for CHILDREN OF THE SEA with Fathom Events have been cancelled. The safety of our fans remains our top priority, and we hope to bring Ayumu Watanabe’s stunning film to the big screen in the future. pic.twitter.com/u1plMnEUmz
— GKIDS Films (@GKIDSfilms) July 21, 2020
Both releases are bilingual with Japanese and English language tracks along with English, French, and Spanish subtitles.
Ayumu Watanabe directed it and character designs are by Kenichi Konishi. Studio 4°C is handled the production for it.
The Japanese cast includes Hiiro Ishibashi as Umi, Mana Ashida as Ruka, Seishu Uragami as Sora, Sumiko Fuji as Dede, Goro Inagaki as Masaaki Azumi, Yuu Aoi as Kanako Azumi, Toru Watanabe, Min Tanaka as Jim, and Win Morisaki as Anglade.
The manga from Daisuki Igarashi began in 2007 in IKKI magazine with five volumes before wrapping up in 2011. Viz Media has released all of it domestically in print and digital.
Check out the official site and Twitter.
Plot Concept: When Ruka was younger, she saw a ghost in the water at the aquarium where her dad works. Now she feels drawn toward the aquarium and the two mysterious boys she meets there, Umi and Sora. They were raised by dugongs and hear the same strange calls from the sea as she does. Ruka’s dad and the other adults who work at the aquarium are only distantly aware of what the children are experiencing as they get caught up in the mystery of the worldwide disappearance of the oceans’ fish.
